The phrase “If you like immigrants so much, take them home!” is often used to ridicule progressive positions on immigration. Javier de Lucas, founder of the Human Rights Institute at the University of Valencia, is concerned that this expression is becoming more common and reflects a deeper anti-immigrant sentiment in society. Gemma Pinyol-Jiménez, migration director at the think tank Instrategies, shares this concern, noting that the immigration debate has shifted in Spain, providing promising prospects for parties with xenophobic rhetoric.
There is a growing concern about the rise of extreme right-wing parties in Europe due to the immigration debate in Spain, where approximately 600,000 irregular immigrants live, making up just 1.2% of the total population. The Popular Party (PP) has adopted some positions from far-right parties like Vox and Se Acabó la Fiesta, leading to an increase in the number of people considering immigration a major issue in the country. Sociologist Antonio Izquierdo warns that anti-immigration views could become dominant, following a pattern seen in other European countries like France.
Experts in immigration suggest that addressing the issue requires more than just countering xenophobic messages. It involves critically examining policies at both the national and EU levels. Blanca Garcés, a researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs, emphasizes the importance of policies that benefit both immigrants and local residents, linking the arrival of immigrants to the expansion of social services. Ahmed Khalifa, president of the Moroccan Association for Integration, calls for policies that involve immigrants in decision-making and promote true integration rather than exclusion.
Recommendations from specialists include implementing the UN agreement on migration, reviving strategic plans from previous administrations, and reforming the immigration law to provide a more welcoming environment for immigrants. Catedrática Emma Martín suggests approving the legislative initiative to regularize hundreds of thousands of immigrants and extending support to refugees and individuals from conflict-affected countries. Gonzalo Fanjul of the Fundación porCausa highlights the need for more proactive policies to harness the potential contributions of immigrants.
Experts stress the importance of shifting the narrative around immigration from crisis and fear to one of democracy and human rights. Gemma Pinyol-Jiménez advocates for reframing the conversation to focus on the benefits of immigration and the need for transparent data to support evidence-based policies. Despite a rise in exclusionary views, sociologist Antonio Izquierdo believes that modest improvements can be made within the current political landscape, but a deeper debate on values is necessary to address the underlying issues. Max Adam, a human rights lawyer, suggests appealing to self-interest by highlighting the economic and social benefits of immigration for society as a whole.
